Alexandra Popp could not help but label her debut for Borussia Dortmund as "not normal" – and she was right. The German forward netted a brace in a 3-0 victory, but what truly stunned everyone was the size of the crowd: 4,572 spectators turned up for a third‑tier match, a figure that dwarfed the average attendance Dortmund’s women’s side managed last season.

That surge in interest is directly linked to Popp’s arrival. The former captain of the German national team, who boasts 67 goals for her country, signed for Dortmund this summer. It was more than a simple transfer; it was a homecoming to the club she adored as a child. The impact was immediate.

Season‑ticket sales jumped from roughly 600 to 1,700, and her jersey quickly became the best‑selling shirt in the city, even outselling the men’s top scorer Serhou Guirassy’s kit. After the match, Popp praised the atmosphere, noting that more than four thousand fans filled the Stadion Rote Erde – a stark contrast to many Bundesliga venues where seats often remain empty.

"I have played in the Bundesliga for years and rarely see a stadium that full," she said. The enthusiasm reflects a broader transformation: Borussia Dortmund did not field a women’s team until 2020, when the club was still competing in the seventh tier.

In just a few seasons, they have climbed to the third division, propelled in part by Popp’s star power. On the pitch, however, the level of play still lags behind the German star’s pedigree. When she rose to meet a cross with a powerful header in the first half, the result was inevitable – the ball crashed into the net with the same certainty that a striker like Erling Haaland would have against a youth side. While the quality of opposition may be modest, the symbolism of her presence is massive.

Popp’s decision to leave Wolfsburg was not purely about footballing challenge. She explained, "I had two options: stay at Wolfsburg or join my favourite club, Borussia Dortmund. The choice was easy." At 35, she is known for her stoic demeanor, relentless work ethic, and leadership.

Yet she admits the reaction to her signing has been overwhelming. "The club’s heart and the fans’ heart are on display – it’s wonderful," she told reporters. Beyond personal ambition, Popp sees a developmental mission.

Dortmund’s men’s team enjoys a massive global following, yet the women’s side had been conspicuously absent until recently. She wants to help the club catch up, stating, "I can help build something here. It was a shame that a club with such a massive fanbase didn’t have a women’s team for so long. We are making up for lost time." The match itself was not a walk in the park.

Arminia Bielefeld offered stubborn resistance, and Popp endured several robust challenges. Two Bielefeld players were booked for fouling her, and she noted that more could have been called. She responded by moving constantly, searching for space, and even joking with Sky Sports that she was playing everywhere on the pitch.

"I’m supposed to be a number 10, but if there’s space or we need to defend, I run back," she laughed. Her arrival also changes the dynamics for younger teammates who are not accustomed to the intense media scrutiny that follows a player of Popp’s stature. Some admitted to feeling nervous at first.

Goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger, a former Bayern Munich and Arsenal player, appears settled, but many of the other girls are still adapting to the new spotlight. Popp emphasizes that the team maintains a normal, supportive environment. "The young players talk to me all the time.

They’re not scared, which is crucial. Even in the national team, younger players can be intimidated, but here the atmosphere is open," she explained. Statistically, Dortmund’s women’s side already boasts a goal difference of over 100 from the previous season, yet they missed promotion by a narrow two‑point margin – points lost in a direct encounter with Arminia earlier in the year.

This time, with Popp leading the charge, the club’s ambitions are crystal clear: win the league, secure promotion, and ultimately reach the Frauen‑Bundesliga as quickly as possible. "Our first goal is the championship," she affirmed. "We have a dream to grow and reach the top tier fast." Popp has signed a three‑year contract, and her schedule is already packed with autograph sessions and selfie requests from fans of all ages. While she acknowledges that the quality of football in the third division does not match her own standards, she views the move as a long‑term investment in the club’s future and in the development of young German talent.

In summary, Alexandra Popp’s transfer to Borussia Dortmund’s women’s team is more than a headline; it is a catalyst for cultural change, fan engagement, and competitive ambition. Her presence has already tripled season‑ticket sales, boosted merchandise, and drawn unprecedented crowds to a third‑tier match. As the team pushes for promotion, Popp’s leadership, experience, and passion are expected to guide Dortmund back to the top flight, fulfilling both her personal dream and the club’s long‑overdue aspiration to field a world‑class women’s side.